Elymus kanashiroi

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms 40–50 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes smooth. Leaf-sheaths 5–10 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 10–15 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scaberulous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 5–10 cm long; bearing 7–10 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 12–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes smooth. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–7 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute, or acuminate; muticous. Palea 8–9 mm long. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 3.5–4 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and Mongolia.

NOTES Triticeae. Ohwi 1995.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.